Self-adjusting gastric band having various compliant components

ABSTRACT

In some embodiments, the present invention generally provides self-adjusting gastric banding systems for the treatment of obesity and obesity related conditions, as well as systems for allowing the automatic self-adjustment of gastric bands when a patient swallows a large bolus. In some embodiments, the present invention generally provides for gastric banding systems having a satiety booster, for example, to increase satiety levels when a patient desires to curb appetite at a particular time. In some embodiments, the present invention may provide for gastric banding systems that allow for both the automatic self-adjustment of gastric bands when a patient swallows a large bolus and an incorporated satiety booster for increasing satiety levels when a patient desires to curb appetite at a particular time.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/770,617, filed on Apr. 29, 2010. The entire content of thatapplication is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

The present invention generally relates to medical systems and apparatusand uses thereof for treating obesity and/or obesity-related diseases,and more specifically, relates to gastric banding systems thatself-adjust to changes in a patient and/or provides a satiety booster.

BACKGROUND

Adjustable gastric banding apparatus have provided an effective andsubstantially less invasive alternative to gastric bypass surgery andother conventional surgical weight loss procedures. Despite the positiveoutcomes of invasive weight loss procedures, such as gastric bypasssurgery, it has been recognized that sustained weight loss can beachieved through a laparoscopically-placed gastric band, for example,the LAP-BAND® (Allergan, Inc., Irvine, Calif.) gastric band or theLAP-BAND AP® (Allergan, Inc., Irvine, Calif.) gastric band. Generally,gastric bands are placed about the cardia, or upper portion, of apatient's stomach forming a stoma that restricts food's passage into alower portion of the stomach. When the stoma is of an appropriate sizethat is restricted by a gastric band, food held in the upper portion ofthe stomach may provide a feeling of satiety or fullness thatdiscourages overeating. Unlike gastric bypass procedures, gastric bandapparatus are reversible and require no permanent modification to thegastrointestinal tract. An example of a gastric banding system isdisclosed in Roslin, et al., U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2006/0235448, theentire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by this specificreference.

Over time, a stoma created by a gastric band may need adjustment inorder to maintain an appropriate size, which is neither too restrictivenor too passive. Accordingly, prior art gastric band systems provide asubcutaneous fluid access port connected to an expandable or inflatableportion of the gastric band. By adding fluid to or removing fluid fromthe inflatable portion by means of a hypodermic needle inserted into theaccess port, the effective size of the gastric band can be adjusted toprovide a tighter or looser constriction.

Sometimes, adjustment of a gastric band may be desirable in betweenadjustments made by a physician. For example, during normal operation ofthe gastric band, the band applies pressure to the outer surface of theupper stomach. But in some instances, the patient may swallow a bolusthat is too large to pass through the constriction produced by the band.The result can be a painful experience which, if it persists, mayrequire medical intervention to release the blockage.

Some attempts have been made to account for this possibility ofblockage. For example, with reference to FIG. 1A, Coe, et al., U.S.Patent Pub. No. 2009/0216255 discloses a flow control device A thatmoves fluid between a hydraulic restriction system and a fluid source B.The additional flow control device A controls a rate of fluid flowbetween the restriction device and the fluid source B. With reference toFIG. 1B, Coe, et al., European Patent Application No. 2 074 970 A1discloses a separate restriction device and pressure adjustment deviceC. The pressure adjustment device C regulates a constant force appliedby the restriction device using, for example, a bellows and a spring.

With reference to FIG. 1C, Lechner, U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2009/0054914discloses a controllable stomach band that has a chamber for controllingrestriction of the stomach band. The chamber is coupled to a separatepressure chamber D that receives fluid leaving the chamber in thestomach band. The pressure chamber D is separated from theesophageal-gastric junction of the patient's stomach.

With reference to FIG. 2, Forsell, U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2004/0064110discloses an injection port E which can be pressed to change the volumein the gastric band.

With reference to FIG. 3, Steffen, U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2009/0062826discloses an adjustable gastric band with a “conveyance device” that ispowered by a “power storage device.” The power storage device operatesthe conveyance device to move fluid between expandable chambers toadjust the gastric band.

Accordingly, in certain embodiments, it may be desirable to develop aself-adjusting gastric band that will provide the needed pressure to thestomach to create the stoma and facilitate weight control, but that willalso adapt and open up to allow a large bolus to pass through.Additionally, it may be desirable to make the adjustments withoutadditional, complicated fluid control mechanisms, flow rate limitingdevices, and/or valves to regulate the transfer of fluid within theself-adjusting gastric band. Moreover, it is desirable to make theseadjustments to the gastric band utilizing compliant components to bothreduce and restore the constriction of the gastric band.

Accordingly, in certain embodiments, it is desirable to develop agastric band having a bladder that a patient may press to obtain asatiety boost.

SUMMARY

Generally described herein are certain embodiments directed toautomatic, self-adjusting, gastric banding systems that are capable ofautomatically relaxing and contracting in response to a large boluspassing through the area of a patient's stomach constricted by a gastricband. The apparatus and systems described herein in these certainembodiments aid in facilitating obesity control and/or treatingobesity-related diseases while being non-invasive once implanted.Furthermore, certain embodiments of the self-adjusting gastric bandingsystems disclosed herein may be automatically adjustable withoutcomplicated fluid control mechanisms, flow rate limiting devices, and/orvalves. The automatic adjustments may also be made in response to otherchanges in the patient's esophageal-gastric junction, for example, inresponse to size, shape, and or location changes.

In one embodiment, a self-adjusting gastric band automatically adjuststo allow a large bolus of food to pass through a constriction in thepatient's stomach formed by the gastric band. The gastric band comprisesan inflatable portion that is disposable about an esophageal-gastricjunction of the patient. The gastric band also comprises an access portfluidly coupled to the inflatable portion via tubing to fill and drainthe inflatable portion.

Further, the gastric band comprises a first compliant portion coupled toa part of the system. For example, the first compliant portion may becoupled to the inflatable portion, the access port, and/or the tubing.The first compliant portion automatically relaxes the constrictionformed by the self-adjusting gastric band and allows the large bolus topass through the constriction. After the bolus passes through theconstriction, the gastric band automatically returns to its previousstate.

In accordance with various embodiments, the first compliant portionfacilitates automatically relaxing the constriction formed by theself-adjusting gastric band without causing a fluid to exit theinflatable portion of the gastric band. For example, the self-adjustinggastric band may comprise a ring coupled to the inflatable portion ofthe gastric band. The ring provides structure and support to theinflatable portion, and the ring facilitates disposing the inflatableportion about the esophageal-gastric junction.

The ring may be a flexible ring with a diameter that expands when apredetermined pressure is generated in the inflatable portion. Forexample, the predetermined pressure may be generated in response to thelarge bolus passing through the esophageal-gastric junction. Theflexible ring expands to automatically relax the constriction formed bythe self-adjusting gastric band. In various embodiments, the ring has adurometer in the range of approximately 20 to approximately 70.

According to a further embodiment, the first compliant portion receivesa first amount of fluid from the inflatable portion when the large boluscauses a pressure in the first compliant portion to exceed an expansionpressure. Receiving the first amount of fluid from the inflatableportion facilitates relaxing the constriction formed by theself-adjusting gastric band and allowing the large bolus to pass throughthe constriction.

In an embodiment, the first compliant portion is fluidly coupled to theinflatable portion. The first compliant portion facilitates removing thefirst amount of fluid from the inflatable portion when the large boluspasses through the constriction.

According to another embodiment, the self-adjusting gastric band furthercomprises a second compliant portion fluidly coupled to the access port.The second compliant portion automatically removes a second amount offluid from the inflatable portion via the access port to facilitaterelaxing the constriction formed by the inflatable portion.

The tubing of the gastric banding system may be compliant tubing thatexpands in response to a pressure in the tubing exceeding a tubingexpansion pressure when the large bolus passes through the constrictionformed by the self-adjusting gastric band. In this regard, a thirdamount of fluid is removed from the inflatable portion when thecompliant tubing expands. The tubing may be perforated to facilitatereceiving the fluid from the inflatable portion via the tubing.

Furthermore, another embodiment of the self-adjusting gastric bandcomprises a third compliant portion fluidly coupled to the tubing forautomatically receiving a third amount of fluid from the inflatableportion via the tubing when the large bolus enters theesophageal-gastric junction. Receiving the third amount of fluid fromthe inflatable portion facilitates relaxing the constriction formed bythe gastric band and allowing the large bolus to pass through theconstriction.

The compliant components, according to various embodiments, comprise akink-resisting feature. Further, the compliant components may comprise aleak-resisting feature. These components may be an elastic polymer, aballoon, a rubber container, a silicone container, a collapsiblecontainer, a bellows, and combinations thereof.

Generally described herein are certain embodiments directed to satietyboosting bladders which may transfer fluid from the bladder toinflatable portions of a gastric band, thereby tightening the gastricband and providing the patient a “satiety boost”. After a period oftime, the fluid may return from the gastric band back to the satietyboosting bladder.

In one embodiment, the satiety boosting bladder may be designed to allowfor the free flow of fluids in and out of the gastric banding systemwithout requiring valves and without the need to interface with aninjection needle. The satiety boosting bladder may allow for intentionalfluid transfer when the patient consciously presses on the bladder (bypressing on the skin area near the bladder).

In one embodiment, a gastric band system may include a satiety boostingbladder located in fluid connection between the gastric band and anaccess port. The satiety boosting bladder may be physically locatedbeneath the skin of a patient but above the rectus muscle fascia suchthat the patient may induce pressure on the bladder and disperse fluidto the gastric band by pressing on the skin area closest to the locationof the bladder.

In one embodiment, the satiety boosting bladder may be fluidly coupledto one end of an access port, wherein the access port may be locatedbetween the satiety boosting bladder and a tube coupling the access portto a gastric band.

In one embodiment, the satiety boosting bladder may be sphericallyshaped, rectangularly shaped, or circularly shaped. Additionally, and/oralternatively, the satiety boosting bladder may have non-uniform,tapered walls.

In one embodiment, the satiety boosting bladder may be a series ofcylindrical components or a coiled component.

In one embodiment, the satiety boosting bladder may include flowrestriction or flow controlling components such as a flow restrictorand/or a valve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates a prior art system that includes a flow ratelimiting device.

FIG. 1B illustrates a prior art system that includes a fluid controlmechanism.

FIG. 1C illustrates a prior art system that includes a valve and achamber separated from the esophageal-gastric junction.

FIG. 2 illustrates a prior art system with a pressable injection port.

FIG. 3 illustrates a prior art system with a gastric banding system thatis immune to deliberate influence by a patient.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded, perspective view of a self-adjustinggastric banding system according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded, perspective view of a self-adjustinggastric banding system having various compliant components according toan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded, perspective view of anotherself-adjusting gastric banding system having various compliantcomponents according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a chart showing pressure-volume curves for a standardgastric band and a self-adjusting gastric band according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a chart showing pressure-time curves for a standardgastric band and a self-adjusting gastric band subject to a period ofobstruction according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a gastric banding system with a satiety boostingbladder according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates an exploded, perspective view of a gastric bandingsystem having a satiety boosting bladder according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates an exploded, perspective view of another gastricbanding system having a satiety boosting bladder according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates an exploded, perspective view of a gastric bandingsystem having a “T-connected” satiety boosting bladder according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 illustrates a circular satiety boosting bladder according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 illustrates a rectangular satiety boosting bladder according toan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 illustrates a series of cylindrical bladders according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 illustrates a series of differently sized cylindrical bladdersaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 illustrates a coiled bladder according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 18 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a satiety boosting bladderaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 illustrates a bladder having a flow control mechanism accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19A illustrates a close up view of the flow control mechanism ofFIG. 19 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention generally provides self-adjusting gastric bandingsystems, for example, for treatment of obesity and obesity relatedconditions, as well as systems for allowing automatic self-adjustment ofgastric bands when a patient swallows a large bolus.

Self-adjusting gastric bands are effective in helping a patient loseweight when the band is properly tightened around the patient'sesophageal-gastric junction. During normal operation, the gastric bandapplies pressure to the outer surface of the upper stomach. But, in someinstances, the patient may swallow a bolus which is too large to passthrough the constriction produced by the gastric band—for example, whenthe patient swallows a large piece of steak. The result can be a painfulexperience which, if it persists, may require medical intervention torelease the blockage.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, theself-adjusting gastric band provides the needed pressure to the stomachto encourage weight loss. However, when a large bolus of food isswallowed, the self-adjusting gastric band temporarily and automaticallyopens up to allow the bolus through. After the bolus passes through, themechanisms within the gastric band return the gastric band to itsoriginal size and shape. In an embodiment, electrical power and/or powerexternal to the patient is not utilized to perform these adjustments.Further, in an embodiment, complicated fluid control mechanisms, flowrate limiting devices, and/or valves are not utilized to regulate thetransfer of fluid within the self-adjusting gastric band.

Turning now to FIG. 4, a self-adjusting gastric banding system 400comprises a gastric band 405 coupled to a subcutaneous injection port435 via tubing 403. The gastric band 405 comprises a circular ring 407and an inflatable portion 410 disposed on the inside of the ring 407.The inflatable portion 410 separates the patient's stomach from the ring407 when the gastric band 405 is implanted around the esophageal-gastricjunction of the patient's stomach. The ring 407 provides structure andsupport to the inflatable portion 410, and facilitates implanting thegastric band 405 around the patient's stomach.

The access port 435 may be sutured onto the rectus muscle sheath or anyother conveniently accessible muscle. The rectus muscle sheath providesa secure surface on which to attach the access port 435 under a layer offat that separates the patient's skin from the muscle.

The inflatable portion 410 may be filled and drained with a fluid viathe tubing 403. For example, the tubing 403 may be connected to thesubcutaneous access port 435 for filling and draining the inflatableportion 410 via subcutaneous injections. The inflatable portion 410 mayalso be coupled to a reservoir to facilitate automatic adjustment of theinflatable portion 410, and the constriction it causes, when a largebolus attempts to pass through the constriction. When more fluid isintroduced in the inflatable portion 410, the constriction around thestomach generally becomes tighter. Correspondingly, when less fluid ispresent, the constriction loosens and/or opens up.

The fluids used within the gastric band 405 may include any fluid thatis biocompatible and incompressible. The fluid has no adverse effect onthe patient in the unlikely event that a leak emanates from the system.The fluid can simply be water or any biocompatible polymer oil such ascaster oil. In an example embodiment, the fluid is saline, a drug,and/or combinations thereof.

In an embodiment, the ring 407 is designed to be a compliant portion ofthe gastric band 405. For example, the ring 407 may flex and/or expandin response to a bolus of food moving through the constriction caused bythe gastric band 405. The ring 407 may have flexible components andrigid components, such that the flexible components expand when acertain elevated and/or maximum pressure is reached in the inflatableportion 410. This elevated pressure may exist due to the presence of anobstruction such as a bolus near the gastric band 405. As the ring 407expands, the diameters of the ring 407 and the inflatable portion 410increase, and the constriction on the stomach due to the gastric band405 is reduced to allow the bolus to pass through. When the bolus haspassed, the elevated pressure no longer exists, and the gastric band 405returns to the pre-obstruction state.

In another embodiment, the entire ring 407 may be flexible and/orexpandable such that a diameter of the ring 407 increases in response tothe elevated pressure in the inflatable portion 410. For example, thering 407 may be constructed of silicone that has a durometer in therange of approximately 20 to approximately 70.

It should be understood that the flexible ring 407 and the othermechanisms disclosed herein for automatically adjusting the constrictionof the gastric band 405 are only example embodiments. Any mechanism forautomatically adjusting the constriction of the gastric band 405 thatdoes not include electrical power, power external to the patient,complicated fluid control mechanisms, flow rate limiting devices, and/orvalves is contemplated within the scope of the present invention.

Furthermore, although various compliant components are illustrated ineach of the figures, it should be understood that any combination of thevarious compliant components may be utilized in different embodiments.For example, an embodiment may include one compliant component—only thering, the tubing, or the access port may be compliant. In otherembodiments, any combination of the ring, the tubing, and the accessport may be compliant. For example, an embodiment may include acompliant ring and a compliant port, an embodiment may include complianttubing and a compliant port, or an embodiment may include a compliantring and compliant tubing. Any combination of compliant components iscontemplated within the scope of the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 5, various compliant components may be utilizedto automatically adjust the constriction of the gastric band 505 aboutthe esophageal-gastric junction of the patient's stomach. Although threecompliant components are illustrated in FIG. 5, as noted above, one ormore of the components may be present in various embodiments of thepresent invention.

For example, in an embodiment, a band compliant component 512 is fluidlycoupled to the inflatable portion 510 of the gastric band 505. Thecompliant component 512 is located on the outside of the ring 507,opposite the inflatable portion, and may be coupled to the ring 507 andthe inflatable portion. Further, in an embodiment, one or more fluidports may extend from the inflatable portion 510 to the compliantcomponent 512 to fluidly couple the inflatable portion 510 to thecompliant component 512.

With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, and in accordance with variousembodiments, a tube compliant component 514, 614 may be fluidly coupledto the tubing 503, 603. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the compliantcomponent 614 may run along substantially the entire length of thetubing 603. In another embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 5, thecompliant component 514 may be limited to a smaller section of theentire length of the tubing 503. The compliant component 514, 614 may befluidly coupled to the tubing 503 at one or more locations. For example,with reference to FIG. 6, the compliant component 614 and the tubing 603may be perforated to allow for efficient transfer of the fluid betweenthe tubing 603 and the compliant component 614.

In another embodiment, the tubing 603 itself may be compliant, and thedurometer, thickness, and/or diameter of the tubing 603 may be alteredto achieve a desired degree of compliance. Other components of thegastric band 605 may similarly have altered properties in order toachieve a desired degree of compliance.

In an embodiment, where the tube compliant component 514, 614facilitates automated adjustment of the gastric band 505, 605, thecompliant component 514, 614 may have features configured to resistkinking and/or leakage of the tubing 503, 603. For example, thecompliant component 514, 614 may include rigid portions (e.g., similarto a skeleton) and flexible portions. The rigid components may givestructure to the compliant component 514, 614 and/or the tubing 503, 603to prevent kinking and/or leakage due to external forces on thecompliant component 514, 614 and/or the tubing 503, 603. The flexiblecomponents may automatically expand in response to an increased pressurein the inflatable portion 510, 610 of the gastric band 505, 605.

In accordance with another embodiment, and with continued reference toFIGS. 5 and 6, the access port 535, 635 may be fluidly coupled to a portcompliant component 516, 616. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the compliantcomponent 516 may be a balloon, reservoir, or other expandable devicethat is adjacent to the port 535. In an embodiment as illustrated inFIG. 6, the compliant component 616 may substantially surround theaccess port 635. The compliant component 616 may be fluidly coupled tothe access port 635 at a single location near a coupling between thetubing 603 and the access port 635. In another embodiment, the compliantcomponent 616 may be fluidly coupled to the access port 635 at multiplelocations.

As noted above, any combination of the inflatable portion 510, 610, thecompliant component 512, the compliant ring 407, the tube compliantcomponent 514, 614, and/or the port compliant component 516, 616 may beused in accordance with various embodiments. When the pressure in theinflatable portion 510, 610 exceeds a predetermined pressure, thecompliant components 407, 512, 514, 516, 614, 616, in any particularconfiguration or combination, expand to receive an amount of the fluidfrom the inflatable portion 510, 610 via the inflatable portion 510,610, the tubing 503, 603, and/or the access port 535, 635, and/or toreduce the constriction formed by the gastric band 405, 505, 605. Thepredetermined pressure may be predetermined based on a pressure thatwould indicate an obstruction is attempting to pass through theconstriction caused by the gastric band 405, 505, 605.

The compliant components 407, 512, 514, 516, 614, 616 described herein,in accordance with various embodiments, may be designed with anexpansion pressure at which pressure the components 407, 512, 514, 516,614, 616 begin to expand, to receive fluid from the inflatable portion510, 610 of the gastric band 505, 605, and/or to reduce the constrictionformed by the gastric band 405, 505, 605. The expansion pressure may beconfigured to correspond to a predetermined pressure in the inflatableportion 410, 510, 610 that may indicate an obstruction exists in theesophageal-gastric junction.

For example, the obstruction may result in a large spike inintra-esophageal pressure that exceeds the expansion pressure and causesthe compliant components to expand and receive fluid from the inflatableportion 510, 610. The reduction in fluid in the inflatable portion 510,610 causes the constriction around the patient's stomach to loosen, inorder to relieve the spike in pressure and allow the obstruction to passthrough the esophageal-gastric junction. When the obstruction passes,the increased pressure in the inflatable portion 510, 610 is reduced,and the fluid flows back into the inflatable portion 510, 610 due to theelasticity of the compliant components 512, 514, 516, 614, 616, torestore the original amount of constriction of the gastric band 505,605. This change in constriction of the gastric band 505, 605 results oris achieved without the use of flow rate limiting devices or valves.

The graph in FIG. 7 illustrates, according to various embodiments, theeffect the compliant components described herein have on the pressure inthe gastric banding system. As can be seen in FIG. 7, a standard gastricbanding system without compliant components has a certainpressure-volume relationship. After the gastric banding system isflushed with saline to remove any air trapped within the system (e.g.,in the gastric band, the tubing, and the port), the pressure-volumerelationship generally takes the form illustrated by the “Standard”curve in FIG. 7. The dashed “Compliant” curve illustrates an exampleembodiment of the pressure-volume relationship for a gastric bandingsystem with one or more compliant components. As illustrated, theself-adjusting gastric banding system may include a greater volume ofsaline than a standard gastric banding system for a given level ofpressure.

The graph in FIG. 8 illustrates, according to various embodiments,pressure characteristics of a “Standard” gastric banding system and a“Self-Adjusting” gastric banding system during use of the systems in apatient. Initially, the two systems are set to the same operatingpressure, for example, for a desired level of constriction of thepatient's stomach. As a large bolus of food or some other obstructionencounters the gastric band, the pressure in each system increases. Asillustrated, the standard system has a larger pressure increase duringthe period of obstruction than the self-adjusting gastric banding systemexperiences. This smaller increase in pressure, according to variousembodiments, is due to the addition of the reservoir space in thecompliant component(s). As pressure in the gastric banding systemincreases, fluid is transferred into the reservoir space. Once theobstruction passes, the fluid is automatically returned from thereservoir space back into the gastric band.

The various compliant components disclosed herein may have any shape orconfiguration that facilitates removing an amount of fluid from theinflatable portion of the gastric band in response to an increasedpressure in the inflatable portion. For example, the compliantcomponents may be selected from a compressible reservoir, an elasticpolymer, a balloon, a rubber container, a silicone container, acollapsible container, a bellows, and combinations thereof that areconfigured to contain the fluid.

Examples of self adjusting gastric banding systems now having beendescribed, attention will be turned to gastric banding systems with asatiety booster. Occasionally, the patient may desire a little extrahelp from the gastric band system to avoid overeating. This extraappetite suppression may be achieved by the patient intentionallypressing on an implanted bladder which provides a satiety boost bytransfer fluid within the implanted bladder to an inflatable portion ofthe gastric band, thereby tightening the gastric band and causing thepatient to feel full.

In one embodiment, FIG. 9 illustrates a gastric band system 900 whichmay include a gastric band 905 in fluid communication with a bladder 917and a port 935. The gastric band system 900 may be implanted between theskin 955 of the patient and the rectus muscle fascia 965. When a patientdesires to temporarily suppress appetite, the patient may press on thepatient's skin near the location of the bladder 917 as designated byarrow 980. As a patient presses at the location of the arrow 980,pressure may be exerted on the bladder 917, causing fluid from thebladder 917 to be transferred to the gastric band 905, therebytightening the gastric band 905.

In one embodiment, the gastric band 905 and the port 935 may beimplanted as usual with the bladder 917. However, an additional step maybe added to the implantation procedure so that a surgeon may tunnel anextra pouch between the skin 955 and the rectus muscle fascia 965. Theextra pouch may be positioned under the subcutaneous fat or on top ofthe subcutaneous fat and the bladder 917 may be positioned within thetunneled pouch. Following surgery, the gastric band 905 may be adjustedas usual by inserting a needle into the access port 935 and adding fluidas necessary. Once the proper adjustment has been made, the patient mayfeel or experience significantly increased satiety. If the patient feelshungry during a period which their physician has deemed inappropriate(e.g., between normal size meals), the patient may want to temporarilysuppress their appetite by pressing on the skin near the arrow 980, asdiscussed above.

FIG. 10 illustrates one embodiment of a gastric band system 1000. Asshown, the gastric band system 1000 may include a gastric band 1005comprising an inflatable portion 1010 in a compliant ring 1007. Thegastric band 1005 may be in fluid communication with the bladder 1017which in turn may be in fluid communication with an access port 1035. Asshown, the bladder 1017 may be of an ellipsoidal shape and may belocated between the gastric band 1005 and the access port 1035. However,other placements of the bladder 1017 may be possible.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example of one embodiment where a bladder 1117 isattached on the other side of the access port 1135. As shown, thegastric band system 1100 may include a gastric band 1105 with aninflatable portion 1110 and a ring 1107. The gastric band 1105 may beconnected to a tubing 1103 which may be connected to the access port1135. As shown, when the patient presses on his or her skin at alocation near the bladder 1117, fluid within the bladder 1117 may travelthrough the access port 1135 and the tubing 1103 and into the inflatableportion 1110 of the gastric band 1105, thereby increasing the amount offluid within the gastric band 1105 and causing the patient to feelsatiety.

In one embodiment as shown in FIG. 12, the bladder 1217 may be connectedto the gastric banding system 1200 through a “T” connector 1219 suchthat the bladder 1217 is not in-line with the port 1235 nor the gastricband 1205. In this manner, the “T” connector 1219 may be a part of thetubing 1203 and may allow the bladder 1217 to be in fluid communicationwith other portions of the gastric banding system 1200 such as a tubecomponent 1214 and an end compliant portion 1216, among othercomponents.

Other methods of fluidly connecting a bladder (e.g., bladder 1217) to agastric band (e.g., a gastric band 1205) may be possible. For example, a“Y” connector (not shown) or any other type of connector may be used.

Although bladders 1017, 1117, and 1217 in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12respectively have been shown to be ellipsoidal, other shapes may bepossible. For example, FIG. 13 illustrates a flat, circular bladder 1317while FIG. 14 illustrates a rectangular bladder 1417. The bladders 1317and 1417 may be implemented anywhere, for example, as bladder 1017between the gastric band 1005 and the port 1035, or as bladder 1117coupled to the port 1135. In addition, other shapes may be possible suchas a spherical bladder, a prolate spheroid, an oblate spheroid or othersuitable shapes (not shown).

The previous bladder shapes, for example, bladders 1017, 1117, 1317 and1417 may be useful within a limited range of pressures. However, as thepressure within the fluid increases, these bladders 1017, 1117, 1317 and1417 may bulge and take on a more spherical shape. The bulgingcharacteristics may be reduced or limited by choosing particularcombinations of materials and shapes.

Examples of non-bulging bladder shapes are illustrated in FIGS. 15, 16and 17.

As shown in FIG. 15, bladder 1517 may include a series of connectedcylinders having similar shapes and similar sizes. While shown here tobe four cylinders, any number of cylinders in series may be possible.The series of connected cylinders of the bladder 1517 may be in fluidcommunication with each other (e.g., a gap may exist proximal to thepoint of attachment thereby allowing fluid to be freely transferredbetween the different cylinders of the bladder 1517). In one embodiment,when a flexible non-stretching material such as polytetrafluoroethylene(PTFE) is formed into a series of connected cylinders, the bladder 1517may be inflated to its maximum volume and shape. As more fluid isinjected into the bladder 1517, the pressure in the system dramaticallyincreases but the shape of the bladder 1517 does not stretch and expand.

FIG. 16 illustrates a bladder 1617 comprising a series of cylinders ofvarious sizes. Again, while shown here to be five cylinders, any numberof cylinders in the series may be possible. As shown, the diameter ofthe middle cylinder of the bladder 1617 may be larger, while thediameter of the outer cylinders may be smaller. Similar to the bladder1517 of FIG. 15, when a flexible non-stretching material such as PTFE isformed into a series of connected cylinders, the bladder 1617 may beinflated to its maximum volume and shape. As more fluid is injected intothe bladder 1617, the pressure in the system dramatically increases butthe shape of the bladder 1617 does not stretch and expand.

FIG. 17 illustrates a coil-like bladder 1717. The bladder 1717 mayinclude internal structures that allow the bladder 1717 to inflate(i.e., allowing the diameter of the coils of the bladder 1717 toincrease) but without substantially altering the shape of the bladder1717 (i.e., preventing the bladder 1717 from “uncoiling”). As such, thepatient may press on any portion of the bladder 1717 to obtain a boostin satiety.

While different shapes may be possible to construct the bladder, bladderdevices are not designed to encourage needle insertion. For example,bladders 1017, 1117, 1317, 1417, 1517, 1617, and 1717 may be constructedout of puncture-resistant fabrics or hard shells to protect the bladders1017, 1117, 1317, 1417, 1517, 1617, and 1717 from needle punctures.Additionally, the bladders 1017, 1117, 1317, 1417, 1517, 1617, and 1717may be made resistant to needle punctures by being positioned away froman injection port (e.g., injections ports 1035, 1135).

In one embodiment, the bladders 1017, 1117, 1317, 1417, 1517, 1617, and1717 may be constructed out of flexible materials such as rubber,silicone, latex and the like and/or thin plastics such as polyethylene(PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC),polypropylene (PP), polyamides (PA), PTFE, polyvinyl chloride (PVC),polysolfone (PSU), polyphenylsulfone (PPSU), polyetheretherketone(PEEK), among other fabrics or materials.

While different shapes of bladders have been discussed, the walls withineach of the bladders (e.g., the bladders 1017, 1117, 1317, 1417, 1517,1617, and 1717) may also vary. For example, as shown in FIG. 18, thebladder 1817 may include a tapered wall 1821 shown as the top wall and auniform wall 1823 shown as a bottom wall. The bladder 1817 of FIG. 18may be constructed with a tapered wall thinnest at the center of thebladder 1817 where most of the fluid is stored. When the center of thebladder 1817 is pressed, the fluid may be released in an efficientmanner instead of being dispersed to the edges of the bladder 1817.However, in certain embodiments, bladders with uniform wall thicknessesthroughout may also be possible.

The bladders 1017, 1117, 1317, 1417, 1517, 1617, 1717, and 1817described herein may be used in conjunction with each other and withother bladders of varying compliance. For example, referring back toFIG. 12, the bladder 1217 may be a non-compliant component and may beused to achieve fluid flow when the patient presses on the bladder 1217.The bladder 1216 may be a compliant component and may be used as anintentional fluid flow creator and as a pressure moderating device.These two bladders 1217 and 1216, among other bladders, may also be usedsimultaneously such that one non-compliant bladder 1217 may allow forfluid transfer while the other compliant bladder 1216 may act as apressure monitoring device.

In one or more embodiments, bladders 1017, 1117, 1317, 1417, 1517, 1617,1717, and 1817 may allow for fluid transfer via one or more mechanisms.Fluid transfer may be intentionally induced when the patient consciouslypresses on the bladder (e.g., bladders 1017, 1117, 1317, 1417, 1517,1617, 1717, and 1817) by hand. Fluid transfer may also beunintentionally induced when the patient undergoes daily movement (e.g.,stretching, walking, breathing, talking) as these actions may causepressures on the bladders (e.g., the bladders 1017, 1117, 1317, 1417,1517, 1617, 1717, and 1817) as well.

In one embodiment, when a patient presses on the bladder 1217 to causefluid to flow towards the gastric band 1205, the gastric banding system1200 may be configured to permit the fluid to flow back to the bladder1217 at a substantially unimpeded rate.

In another embodiment, a flow rate restriction device may be implementedinto the bladder 1217 to restrict or control the fluid flow between thebladder 1217 and the gastric band 1205.

FIG. 19 illustrates one embodiment of a flow rate restriction device1947 within a bladder 1917. FIG. 19A illustrates a close up view of therestriction device 1947. As shown, the flow rate restriction device 1947may include a flow restrictor 1927 and a duckbill valve 1937 locatedproximately at an area where a tubing is joined to the bladder 1917.When the patient presses on the bladder 1917, fluid may flow out of theduckbill valve 1937 at one rate and when fluid flows from the gastricband (not shown) back into the bladder 1917, the flow restrictor 1927may control the flow of the fluid at a second rate.

In one embodiment the rate that fluid leaves the bladder 1917 throughthe duckbill valve 1937 may be higher than the rate that fluid flowsthrough the flow restrictor 1927 back into the bladder 1917. Conversely,the flow rate of fluid entering the bladder 1917 through the duckbillvalve 1937 may be higher than the flow rate of fluid leaving the bladder1917. Alternatively, the flow rates may be equal.

While a duckbill valve 1937 and a flow restrictor 1927 have beenillustrated in FIG. 19, other forms of restriction may be possible.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities ofingredients, volumes of fluids, and so forth as used in thespecification and claims are to be understood as being modified in allinstances by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless indicated to thecontrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the specification andattached claims are approximations that may vary depending upon thedesired properties sought to be obtained by the present invention. Atthe very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of thedoctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numericalparameter should at least be construed in light of the number ofreported significant digits and by applying ordinary roundingtechniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameterssetting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, thenumerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported asprecisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently containscertain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation foundin their respective testing measurements.

The terms “a,” “an,” “the” and similar referents used in the context ofdescribing the invention (especially in the context of the followingclaims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural,unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context.Recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as ashorthand method of referring individually to each separate valuefalling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, eachindividual value is incorporated into the specification as if it wereindividually recited herein. All methods described herein can beperformed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein orotherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and allexamples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein isintended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose alimitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No languagein the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimedelement essential to the practice of the invention.

Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the inventiondisclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each groupmember may be referred to and claimed individually or in any combinationwith other members of the group or other elements found herein. It isanticipated that one or more members of a group may be included in, ordeleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability.When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is deemedto contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written descriptionof all Markush groups used in the appended claims.

Certain embodiments of this invention are described herein, includingthe best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Ofcourse, variations on these described embodiments will become apparentto those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoingdescription. The inventor expects skilled artisans to employ suchvariations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention tobe practiced otherwise than specifically described herein. Accordingly,this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subjectmatter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicablelaw. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in allpossible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unlessotherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Furthermore, certain references have been made to patents and printedpublications throughout this specification. Each of the above-citedreferences and printed publications are individually incorporated hereinby reference in their entirety.

Specific embodiments disclosed herein may be further limited in theclaims using consisting of or and consisting essentially of language.When used in the claims, whether as filed or added per amendment, thetransition term “consisting of” excludes any element, step, oringredient not specified in the claims. The transition term “consistingessentially of” limits the scope of a claim to the specified materialsor steps and those that do not materially affect the basic and novelcharacteristic(s). Embodiments of the invention so claimed areinherently or expressly described and enabled herein.

In closing, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the inventiondisclosed herein are illustrative of the principles of the presentinvention. Other modifications that may be employed are within the scopeof the invention. Thus, by way of example, but not of limitation,alternative configurations of the present invention may be utilized inaccordance with the teachings herein. Accordingly, the present inventionis not limited to that precisely as shown and described.

1. A self-adjusting gastric band for the treatment of obesity thatadjusts to provide a satiety boost to a patient, the self-adjustinggastric band comprising: an inflatable portion disposable about anesophageal-gastric junction of the patient; an access port fluidlycoupled to the inflatable portion via tubing to fill and drain theinflatable portion; and a satiety boosting bladder fluidly coupled tothe inflatable portion and the access port, the satiety boosting bladderbeing configured to transfer fluid to the inflatable portion in responseto an external pressure exerted on the satiety boosting bladder.
 2. Thegastric band of claim 1 further comprising a compliant portion coupledto at least one of the inflatable portion, the access port, the tubingor the satiety boosting bladder, the compliant portion configured toautomatically relax the construction formed by the gastric band andallow a large bolus to pass through the constriction.
 3. The gastricband of claim 2 further comprising a ring coupled to the inflatableportion for providing structure and support to the inflatable portion,wherein the ring facilitates disposing the inflatable portion about theesophageal-gastric junction.
 4. The gastric band of claim 1 wherein thesatiety boosting bladder is configured to transfer fluid to theinflatable portion in response to the patient pressing on the area ofskin closest to the satiety boosting bladder.
 5. The gastric band ofclaim 1 wherein the satiety boosting bladder is configured to transferfluid to the inflatable portion in response to the patient breathing,talking, or moving.
 6. The gastric band of claim 1 wherein the satietyboosting bladder is ellipsoidal, circular, or rectangularly shaped. 7.The gastric band of claim 1 wherein the satiety boosting bladder is aseries of uniformly sized cylindrical bladders, a series ofnon-uniformly sized cylindrical bladders, or a coiled bladder.
 8. Thegastric band of claim 1 wherein the satiety boosting bladder is locatedbetween a skin layer and a rectus muscle fascia layer within a body ofthe patient.
 9. The gastric band of claim 1 wherein the satiety boostingbladder comprises a wall of varying thickness.
 10. The gastric band ofclaim 9 wherein the wall comprises a tapered portion near the center ofthe satiety boosting bladder.
 11. The gastric band of claim 1 whereinthe satiety boosting bladder is fluidly coupled to the inflatableportion and the access port via a “T-connector”.
 12. The gastric band ofclaim 1 wherein the satiety boosting bladder is fluidly coupled to theinflatable portion and the access port via a “Y-connector”.
 13. Thegastric band of claim 1 wherein the satiety boosting bladder comprises afluid flow rate controlling device, the fluid flow rate controllingdevice including: a valve, and a flow restrictor.
 14. The gastric bandof claim 1 wherein the satiety boosting bladder is further configured toreceive fluid from the inflatable portion.
 15. A gastric banding systemfor the treatment of obesity that provides a satiety boost to a patientin response to the patient pressing on a portion of the gastric bandingsystem, the gastric banding system comprising: a gastric band having aninflatable portion and a ring coupled to the inflatable portion tofacilitate disposing the gastric band about an esophageal-gastricjunction of the patient; an access port in fluid communication with thegastric band, the access port configured to receive a needle andproviding the gastric band system with fluid; and a satiety boostingbladder in fluid communication with the gastric band and the accessport, the satiety boosting bladder configured to transfer fluid to theinflatable portion of the gastric band in response to external pressureexerted on the satiety boosting bladder.
 16. The gastric banding systemof claim 15 further comprising a compliant portion fluidly coupled tothe inflatable portion, the access port, and the satiety boostingbladder, the compliant portion for removing the amount of fluid from theinflatable portion to allow a large bolus of food swallowed by thepatient to pass through a constriction in the patient's stomach formedby the gastric band.
 17. The gastric banding system of claim 16 whereinthe satiety boosting bladder is non-compliant.
 18. The gastric band ofclaim 1 wherein the satiety boosting bladder is ellipsoidally shaped,circularly shaped, rectangularly shaped, is a series of uniformly sizedcylindrical bladders, or is a series of non-uniformly sized cylindricalbladders or a coiled bladder.
 19. A gastric banding system for thetreatment of obesity that adjusts a gastric band when a large bolus offood is swallowed by a patient or when the patient presses on his skinto activate a satiety booster, the system comprising: an inflatableportion of the gastric band, the gastric band being disposable about anesophageal-gastric junction of the patient; a ring coupled to theinflatable portion for providing support to the inflatable portion andfor securing the inflatable portion around the patient's stomach,wherein the ring flexes in response to the large bolus to facilitateallowing the large bolus to pass through a constriction formed by thegastric band; a first compliant portion fluidly coupled to theinflatable portion for automatically receiving a first amount of fluidfrom the inflatable portion when the large bolus enters theesophageal-gastric junction, to assist in relaxing the constrictionformed by the gastric band and allowing the large bolus to pass throughthe constriction; a non-compliant bladder fluidly coupled to the gastricband, the non-compliant bladder providing an increase of satiety to apatient by transferring fluid to the inflatable portion in response tothe patient pressing on his skin; an access port fluidly coupled to theinflatable portion and the bladder via tubing to fill and drain theinflatable portion and the bladder; and a second compliant portionfluidly coupled to the access port for automatically receiving a secondamount of fluid from the access port when the large bolus enters theesophageal-gastric junction, to assist in relaxing the constrictionformed by the gastric band and allowing the large bolus to pass throughthe constriction.
 20. The gastric banding system of claim 19 furthercomprising a third compliant portion fluidly coupled to the tubing forautomatically receiving a third amount of fluid from the tubing when thelarge bolus enters the esophageal-gastric junction, to assist inrelaxing the constriction formed by the gastric band and allowing thelarge bolus to pass through the constriction.